Friday, September 28, 2018

The shortage of Central Industrial Security Force personnel at Madurai airport has been plaguing its attempt to get into the elite list of airports having round-the-clock operation. Nevertheless, the officials have expressed confidence that the airport will attain the status soon, adding that they have been pursuing it intensively.
At a recent meeting, officials of the Airport Authority of India gave approval for 24 hour operation to two airports including Surat. AAI sources said that though Madurai International Airport had applied for the approval, it did not get the nod owing to shortage of CISF personnel.
However, sources from the airport said that the CISF officials’ demand for an inflated number of personnel has resulted in the proposal getting shelved for now. The present strength of around 300 men is adequate for the time being if they are deployed judiciously. The officials were taken aback by the demand to almost double the existing strength which cost Madurai airport the opportunity to go 24 x 7.
However, Madurai airport director V V Rao said that they were working on it relentlessly and hope to get the nod in a couple of months. Once the required number of CISF men is deployed, they will get the clearance, he said.
28/09/18 Times of India